Pig heads dumped at French mosque cause outrage

Toulouse
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A mosque in the French town of Montauban, where Islamist Mohammed Merah killed two paratroopers in March, has been defiled as two pig heads were dumped at its entrance.

In Cyprus reported that Muslim worshippers were confronted by the sight of two pig heads which had been hung to the entrance pillars of the Salam Mosque in Montauban. A massive pool of blood lay on the ground outside the mosque. The incident was particularly provocative as Muslims are currently observing Ramadan.

The mosque's president, Hajii Mohamed, told AFP "It is contemptible. To attack a religion like this, I don't know what is happening. People lose their heads, especially during Ramadan."

Montauban mayor, Brigitte Bareges, denounced the attack, calling it an “odious and blasphemous act" intended to intimidate the Muslim community.

Muslim and Jewish groups both denounced the act, describing it as "racist provocation."

There is speculation that the incident was a response to the shooting spree of Algerian-born Islamist Mohamed Merah, who shot seven people, including three Jewish schoolchildren, in March.

The desecration follows the controversy caused earlier this week when four children's sport instructors were suspended for observing Ramadan in the Île-de-France.